" Under this designation, all the ancient philosophers of
the East and West, the Hierophants of old Egypt, the Rishis of Aryavart,
the Theodidaktoi of Greece, included all knowledge of things occult and
essentially divine. The Mercavah of the Hebrew Rabbis, the secular and
popular series, were thus designated as only the vehicle, the outward
shell, which contained the higher esoteric knowledges. The Magi of
Zoroaster received instruction and were initiated in the caves and
secret lodges of Bactria; the Egyptian and Grecian hierophants had their
apporiheta, or secret discourses, during which the Mysta became an
Epopta--a Seer.
The central idea of the Eclectic Theosophy was that of a single Supreme
Essence, Unknown and Unknowable; for "how could one know the knower?"
as inquires Brihadaranyaka Upanishad. Their system was characterized by
three distinct features, the theory of the above-named Essence: the
doctrine of the human soul; an emanation from the latter, hence of the
same nature; and its theurgy. It is this last science which has led
the Neo-Platonists to be so misrepresented in our era of materialistic
science.
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